Something that is vile is evil, disgusting, offensive, wretched, or very unpleasant.

A virulent disease is very dangerous and spreads very quickly.

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Adj.

malevolent

muh-LEV-uh-luhnt

Context

It is interesting that in science fiction aliens are often portrayed as evil, destructive, and malevolent beings who prey on human victims. Does this view exist because so many fear outsiders and therefore perceive aliens as invaders who act in malevolent ways, bent on injuring us? Or is it fun to imagine harmful or malevolent forces in the universe, against which humans prevail after victorious but intense struggle?

Memory Hook

ViolentMale The malevolent man is a highly violentmale who tried to kill us all yesterday in the elevator, but we overpowered him.

Examples

Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, while Canadians are malevolently well informed about the United States.
— J. Bartlett Brebner

The military industrial complex has become a hidden and malevolent force whose real purpose seems to be an ever escalating conglomeration of mysterious test facilities and concealed agendas.
—Newsvine

The report itself is a simply amazing document, reflecting a relentless pattern of malevolent intervention designed to frustrate any hopes of peace, to stimulate violence and warfare.
—Harper's Magazine

Advised by the good wizard Gandalf, he sets off to rid Middle-earth of the ring by throwing it into the fires of Mordor, the malevolent land where it was made.
—The Christian Science Monitor

Word Theater

The panel shows a small video clip of either the word in actual use or a scene that represents the meaning of a word. This not only breaks up the monotony of studying words but also provides another avenue to strengthen word meaning. Enjoy!